Go behind the cover shoot—and get her look

Taylor Swift, the Grammy-winning singer whose album Fearless was 2009's best-seller, arrived to ELLE's cover shoot in a refreshingly un-diva-like manner—with just her mom and three acoustic guitars. No hair extensions or shiny jumpsuits, either—just a long-sleeve cotton shirt, a skirt, and men's oxfords. However, after only minutes with ELLE's hairstylist, Ken O'Rourke, Swift's signature corkscrew curls vanished, along with her girl-next-door style, replaced by straight bangs and a seriously sexy '60s pleated cream dress from Chloé. Next, the singer happily zipped into alpine white Oscar de la Renta bloomers, blouse, and lace-covered bowler hat, worn with rhinestone Sonia Rykiel platforms. Soon, though, Swift came back down to earth in a simple, pale pink Jason Wu dress. She'd asked that it be saved for last. You can change the clothes, but you can't change the girl.